The general mechanism of an air compressor is a piston or Water Lubricated Air Compressor rotary element (e.g. rotary screw or vane) that draws in surroundings, which is compressed right into a storage container. Naturally, because the piston or rotary component needs to move regularly and smoothly for this to work, it generally needs to be lubricated.

In a lubricated air compressor, there is lubricating oil which keeps the piston or rotary component running well without damaging the system. The lubricant also helps to dissipate heat and maintain air compression efficiency.

Oil-totally free air compressors also use a piston or rotary element, but they get around the lubrication problem by coating the compression element with a pre-lubricating materials like Teflon. Some oil-free compressors could also use water in place of essential oil for the lubricating and cooling procedure. These alternate materials safeguard the pump and invite the mechanism to go smoothly without the need for any oil-centered or synthetic lubrication.